Joan H. Facelle, M.D. was elected Chair of the Dominican University Board of Trustees effective July 1, 2025, replacing Steven T. Sabatini, who stepped down after serving in the position for six years.
“I am honored to serve as Chair of the Dominican University Board of Trustees and will work with the Board to support President Manuel Martínez, the administration, and faculty to continue Dominican’s proud tradition of promoting educational excellence, leadership, and service,” said Facelle. “This requires the Board to assure the University’s fiscal stability and academic responsiveness to the ever-changing higher educational environment.”
Facelle served with Sabatini as Vice Chair since 2019, and been on the Board of Trustees since 2015. Prior to that, she was the Commissioner of Health for Rockland County from 2001 until her retirement in 2013. As Commissioner, she oversaw more than 240 employees in a department of county government devoted to chronic disease prevention, operation of public health clinics, communicable disease control, administration of early intervention and pre-kindergarten programs for children with developmental disabilities, emergency preparedness, and environmental health and safety.
Facelle received her medical degree from New York University School of Medicine. After serving in the United States Air Force for three years as a general pediatrician, she practiced pediatrics in Suffern and Central Valley, N.Y. In 2003, she received a Masters of Public Health at the New York Medical College School of Public Health.
In an email to faculty and staff, Manuel Martínez, Ph.D., President, Dominican University New York, congratulated Facelle on her appointment and thanked Sabatini for his remarkable service to the University. “Steve worked tirelessly to ensure the success of Dominican University and provide the best for our students,” Martinez wrote. “During his time as Chair, the institution successfully navigated the COVID pandemic, received approval to change from Dominican College to a Dominican University, completed the new O’Brien turf field, and oversaw the transition to a new president.”
Sabatini, who is the retired Chief Financial Officer of Modern Bank’s holding companies, will remain on the Board of Trustees and Chair the Audit Committee.